Latest KFF Health News Stories
Allynne Noelle: Ballerina Gets Insured
Ballerinas risk injury and high health care costs every time they perform. Allynne Noelle, 32, principal ballerina with the Los Angeles Ballet, says the new health care law offers some relief.
Restaurant Owner Struggles To Afford Health Insurance
Sandra Lopez, 41, owns Las Fajitas, a popular Mexican restaurant in Newport Beach, Calif. She has to make decisions about health insurance coverage for her family and her business under the Affordable Care Act.
Covered California Rates Up Modest 4.2 Percent
Covered California says health care premiums will go up modestly for most people buying coverage on the state exchange next year by an average of 4.2 percent. “We enrolled a lot of people, they’re healthy, and that’s kept rates down,” Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee said at a press conference on Thursday in Sacramento […]
Florida’s Largest Health Insurer Is Raising Exchange Rates An Average Of 17.6 Percent
Florida Blue cites cost impact of older and less healthy adults who use more services.
Good News On California ACA Rates. But Why?
Two top insurance officials in California have competing theories on what’s keeping prices in check for 2015.
A Reader Asks: With Job-Based Coverage, Can I Still Qualify For Cost-Sharing Subsidies
KHN’s consumer columnist Michelle Andrews explains that if the insurance offered through an employer is considered affordable, you can’t qualify for the health law’s program to provide financial help to cover costs such as deductibles and co-payments.
The HHS is contacting hundreds of thousands of people with subsidized health plans bought under the ACA to verify their eligibility,
California Makes Significant Progress In Enrolling Previously Uninsured, Survey Finds
But more than 40 percent of those who lacked coverage last fall still don’t have insurance.
Limitations Of New Health Plans Rankle Some Enrollees
Consumer groups complain people have been misled about the narrow networks of hospitals and doctors in their plans. Insurers say they are trying to hold down prices.
Pitfalls Emerge in Health Insurance Renewals
Automatically renewing your Obamacare policy could cost you thousands.
A Reader Asks: How Can I Get Health Coverage For My Grandchildren?
KHN consumer columnist Michelle Andrews points out various options through Medicaid, CHIP and the online insurance marketplaces.
New Health Law Court Decisions Could Have Limited Political Impact
Analysts say it’s hard to see either party broadly benefiting in the fall elections.
King County’s Wellness Plan Beats the Odds
Most employee wellness plans have few participants and little effect on health care costs. A program in King County, Washington, is an exception.
Appeals Courts Split On Legality Of Subsidies For Affordable Care Act
The D.C. circuit struck down the administration’s decision to offer financial help for lower-income consumers buying coverage on the federal insurance marketplace. But the 4th Circuit court in Richmond, Va., said the subsidies were valid.
Arkansas Weighs Plan To Make Some Medicaid Enrollees Fund Savings Accounts
The state is proposing that many people enrolled in the “private option” Medicaid expansion program contribute between $5 and $25 a month. Those who don’t could face additional medical expenses.
Florida’s Biggest Health Insurer Signals Rate Hikes Ahead
High demand for care and a larger-than-expected number of older, sicker enrollees are key factors.
Half Of Texas Abortion Clinics Close Due To State Law
This story is part of a partnership that includes Houston Public Media, NPR and Kaiser Health News. It can be republished for free. (details) In just over the past year, the number of abortion clinics in Texas fell from 41 to 20, and watchdogs say that as few as six may be left by September. […]
A Reader Asks: If You Have A Job-Based Plan, Can You Buy On The Marketplace?
KHN consumer columnist Michelle Andrews points out that standards for eligibility to buy a plan off the exchange is different than eligibility for subsidies.
Specialty Care Is A Challenge In Some ACA Plans
“Narrow networks” keep the price of some Obamacare insurance plans low, but they also keep certain hospitals and physicians out of reach for sick patients.
A Small Business Owner Enters The Insurance Marketplace
Initially, the restaurateur was frustrated in trying to find health insurance for her family, but her effort was ultimately successful. Now she hopes to insure her ‘work family.’
